No, studless snow tires or tire chains are strictly required during the winter season (typically from November to April) due to heavy snow and icy road conditions. Since our ryokan (Keiryuso Shiorie) is located in the Sawando Onsen area at an elevation of approximately 1,000 meters, we highly recommend visiting with a four-wheel-drive (4WD) vehicle equipped with studless snow tires for a safer and more comfortable drive. If you are driving a two-wheel-drive (2WD) vehicle, please ensure you carry metal tire chains in addition to having snow tires. We regularly update current road conditions and winter activity info on our blog and social media, so please check them before your trip.

Yes, we provide free parking on-site exclusively for our staying guests. As a general rule, you can park your car for free between your check-in day and check-out day. Since Sawando Onsen is the main transfer point for the Kamikochi shuttle bus (where private vehicles are restricted), you can conveniently leave your car at our ryokan and head straight to Kamikochi. Please let our front desk staff know when you park your car. Note: If you plan to leave your car past your check-out day (e.g., staying overnight at a facility inside Kamikochi instead of extending your stay with us), additional parking fees will apply (or prior consultation is required).

Please take a highway/local bus (such as the Matsumoto-Takayama Line) from JR Matsumoto Station (or Alpico Highland Railway Shin-Shimashima Station) or from Takayama Station on the Gifu side. Please get off at the "Sawando Bus Terminal" stop. As bus schedules and frequencies are limited, we highly recommend checking the latest timetables on the official Alpico Group website before your departure.

Since private vehicles are banned from entering Kamikochi year-round, you will need to transfer to a shuttle bus or a taxi from our area (Sawando Onsen). The travel time to Kamikochi (such as Taisho Pond or the Kamikochi Bus Terminal) is about 25 to 30 minutes one way.Taxi Stand: Located just a 1-minute walk from our ryokan.Sawando Bus Terminal: Located about a 5-minute walk from our ryokan.It takes about a 10-minute walk from our second parking lot to the Sawando Bus Terminal.When returning from Kamikochi, you can get off at the "Ashiyu Koen-mae" (Footbath Park) bus stop, which is a drop-off-only stop located right in front of our ryokan. It is incredibly convenient! We also offer free luggage storage before check-in and after check-out, so you can enjoy hands-free sightseeing in Kamikochi.